I still call bulshit on that comment being posted by, or even on behalf of, Merck Mercuriadis. Morrissey doesn't want to overtly acknowledge the existence of SoLow.

The intended 7" was to contain a live version of Morrissey's cover of "Drive In Saturday" recorded live in Milwaukee from the previous leg of the tour. Perhaps it was an issue of securing the rights to the song that prevented its release. I had not heard that the 7" was to contain any new material, so you are right to call BS on the rather lame reason given by Morrissey's management. But consider the source...

..up trouble isn't he?

Why not let us read the interview for ourselves instead of trying to make up our minds for us before it's even published? I'm sure if what Morrissey said was inflammatory it will speak for itself. We don't need you to tell us what to think.

So...

The NME deliberately tried to lure Morrissey into saying something racist?

If Morrissey really *did* say something that could be construed as controversial about immigration then they should print and be damned instead of all this pussyfooting around. It's their duty.

But if it was a cheap interview technique then that sucks, trying to cause a scandal for the sake of it.

Whatever Morrissey did or didn't say, the NME come out of this with zero integrity. Entrapment techniques = gutter journalism.

Boycott this disgraceful affair.

An update on the front page makes sense after the editor of the NME and Morrissey's manager confirmed that an interview has taken place and will be printed towards the end of November; and that logistical obstacles meant that the intended bonus single would not be ready to distribute in time for the targeted publication date.

The question of immigration is a perennial one discussed universally and there would be nothing strange if the interview includes a comment on that amongst all the other issues. It does seem somewhat mischievous, in the light of a known related historical debacle that this point is singled out here by the poster, and I for one cannot gauge what the intention is, given the clarifications just provided by those intimately involved with the interview. Can’t we just look forward to reading it in good faith?

Surely it's the same news item as the one posted before? Couldn't mr anonymous have posted his reply on that? If Connor and Merck come back to refute this guys assertions again does he get another news item to argue with them all over again? This guy seems very powerful around this site. It's like it's his personal playground to throw mud.

These days the NME is no more than a rehashed pamphlet. Morrissey should have nothing to do with these half-wits.

This is the sort of conversation that is spoken up and down the lenght of Ireland at the moment. The Irish government are allowing too many immigrants in but just because we all say and believe this does not make us racists and come on for fucks sake Morrissey is not a racist and is this not all old news.

Morrissey must be rightly pissed off if this old chestnut is brought up again.

I wish the media would stop trying to smear Morrissey's reputation and paint him as some sort of degenerate yob. It seems that they laud him to the skies every few months and then get tired of his contradictory persona thus feeling the need to place tripwire in his path. His forthright manner vs his fiercely guarded privacy has always been a source of frustration to journos who would just love to explode the myth and denounce him as a fraud. All Morrissey ever wanted to do was make music, be famous and attract followers who understand that intelligence does not have to be sacrificed in order to be a pop star. The fact that the NME now appears to have a reading age of 12 confirms why Morrissey remains their dream interviewee; he is one of the few icons left in British music able to give highly lucid and intelligent answers to even the most inane questions.
Indeed, this thing will probably turn out to be a storm in a tea cup, begun by some hack wishing to raise the profile of an ailing music rag. The interview may well turn out to be just another funny and sometimes frank exchange of ideas about what Morrissey thinks of a rapidly changing music scene and society in general. If there are any questions and answers over the nature of immigration then I will stake my life on the fact that those wishing to see Mozzer go all 'Daily Mail' on us will be sorely disappointed.

of morrissey to agree that 'its a problem'
for his homeland ,while here in the u.s
he sings about them, like they are heros
only wish all the mexicans went to england
let them try that 'no speak english' crap there

why post unfounded rumors? this is just silly... the place for it is on the forum, not in the frontpage...

both NME editor and Merck's user IDs are so close, like they probably called each other up one day and were like, "hey let's join morrissey-solo.com!"

20457 - NME editor
20459 - Merck

yes, i have no life.

"..the NME have withdrawn the issue of the free cd and are currently considering whether or not to publish the interview..."

The NME had no problem printing Morrissey's comments about immigration in his comeback interview (May 2004), so, what is the problem now? This is a magazine that had no qualms with putting a nude singer on their front cover (in all her glory), nor ever shyed away from reporting what controlled substances were being consumed at all the summer music festivals and by whom?

The interview will probably go out as is, retraction offered or not. They are not dealing with a kid here; Morrissey has nothing to hide and he believes what he believes.

Merck already explained already why the free 7'' was pulled. Apparently, it would not be ready on time for the scheduled press date (why this offer and interview cannot be postponed for a latter date is unclear. Does the NME plan their issues so far in advance?)

Is it the intention of the anonymous poster to claim that these two events are directly related? If so, does it make sense for Morrissey to withdrawl a free vinyl offer to readers supposedly all because of a feisty interviewer? This man has been doing interviews for over twenty years. At this stage of his game, the man is practically unflappable.

Besides, it is in Morrissey's best interest to put out new music when he could; for him to supposedly change his mind, he would only be hurting himself and his audience, not the NME or the reporter.

So I poo-poo this whole drama. I look forward to the interview when it comes out.

Oh, just keep talking, publicity folks. We're fucking fascinated.

How can he be.. hes been very supportive of the latino community who has the biggest problem with immigration.. yet he does sing about them,praise them.. and recently had girl in a coma who are all latina and from tx.. where there is the biggest problem..
this is just like the whole controversy which happend with elvis presley himself not liking blacks.. yet his music came from the source.. this is obviously somesort of journalist scam to get him to respond.. or just good ol solo wanting drama again.

If there IS going to be a shitstorm about it, FINE. Sick of reading Morrissey interviews lately; if he doesn't want to say anything, he could stop talking to media (YES HE COULD, and the world is full of successful indie musicians who don't ... oh, but I forget, Morrissey's the last adult on earth who still believes in the major label-music magazine machine).

So since he CAN'T STOP, he just goes on about Jamie Oliver instead of actually speaking, as he once did in fact. They should stop rewarding any pap that dribbles out of his mouth. If that means drumming up some false accusations, at least it'll mean a STORY, god help us all.

But fuck you anyway, publicity people, whether you're technically from the NME or Morrissey's camp. WE HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO WITH OUR LIVES THAN LISTEN TO YOUR TWEE LITTLE MANIPULATIONS.

Maybe Morrissey himself should respond and set the record straight, under one of his 20 user names, eh?

So the anonymous poster seems to be an acquaintance (friend, co-worker, etc) of Tim/Timothy of the NME.

He/she now reports that they listened from the general vicinity (on the original story they had "heard it in good faith", remember?) Somehow the casual observer implies that Morrissey is a racist because he talked about immigration problems when asked.

The poster also says that Morrissey has had ample opportunity to withdrawal comments said in the aforementioned interview. Why would anyone do that? Morrissey is not Lindsey Lohan and since when has the NME become Hello?

"Oh Moz that answer you gave us might be a bit too edgy now, would you rather we quote you about kittens and yarn?"

Morrissey is the last person who needs to resort to "fluff" pieces. I am sure he has faced tougher questions during his long career and is comfortable with his answers.

Let's see - things an NME employee might know/leak to a friend about this Morrissey issue.

1-Morrissey interview and who conducted it. Let's face it journalist are not the most recognizable lot. Nick Kent excluded obv.
2-The giveaway/non-giveaway.
3-What was discussed during interview.
4-The generous offer from of the NME to rescind some comments that they might try to spin.

So this person either works for the NME or Tim/Timothy is leaking his little heart out to this person which in turn jeopardizes ole Tim's journalistic integrity in the process.

The poster says that Tim asks "leading questions" to M and gullible/untested Morrissey takes the bait.

The fact is the only thing "leading" that you have shared so far is the headline and last line from the first story you've submitted. "Morrissey in NME skin storm, again", "What reasons could they have for not publishing as Morrissey has had the offer of retracting his statements and declined this offer?"

Head man at NME jumps in and mentions they are indeed publishing and states the issue is due out in a week or so minus the record. Everything else is conjecture, etc.

A note to Tim, so we have heard from your boss and this other person who felt it necessary to share/disparage your work before it's even published. Shame about that, as you really could have had something worth checking out. Who knows, maybe you do, although i won't bother with it. I would just suggest watching who you bring to these things in the future. That is of course if you still have one.

this thread is so fucking stupid.
i mean its so fucking stupid .
tim from the nme is fucking stoopid.
i hate you all.
go suck on my used tampon.

xo,
shirley temple.

Merck was/is Morrissey's agent for Sanctuary USA.

Morrissey looking for a new deal and Sanctuary
out of business

There's one name left, which I can not place

or does Merck got his own Agency?

I dont mind Morrissey being racist
I understand how he fells!
Asians and Afrifans are trying to take over Europe and this must stop sooner or later because a multi culture world would be full of shit

Viva hate

ps.iam not racist i just dont want immigrants in my country like Morrissey wants a clean England

Given the rumours about NME folding that have been swirling around in the past few months, I'd just say that they need to be very careful how their sub-editors play this one... I should imagine that a libel case is the last thing they need.
Oh, and as for the "I'm not racist but I want a clean England" moron - that's what comes of inbreeding. Isn't it amazing how the phrase "I'm not racist" tends to mean precisely the opposite?

The original poster is right, it was Tim Jonze that conducted the interview.

Why should Moz or any of us trust NME?

I especially don't believe the second part of the post because Moz has experienced enough grief in the early 90s re. racist allegations (which he is not) to say anything nearly close to ethnic cleansing or purity. See "The Importance of Being Morrissey" on u-tube. Wasn't 'National' written after skinheads threw an orange juice carton at his head when he opened for Madness (necessitating stitches)? He may seek to understand, but he isn't.

Whatever has been or will be said, whatever will be edited and printed... Morrissey is ethnically Irish blood (English heart), the Queen and her royal family is part German blood (English heart), tea has always been imported from India and China and the South Asian diaspora are the only ones I see playing cricket in the US (English heart, I'd say!).

Why does Morrissey pander to his Latino fanbase in the most egregious manner, yet finds it important to comment that immigration is a problem in England? The man is a walking contradiction, and his contrived nature is starting to become obvious.

His pandering has been truly shameful, and certainly not sincere. Morrissey is merely a corporation with a demographic to please.

More importantly, at heart, Morrissey is a Conservative. It's been said before, but it needs to be said again.

He has never liked Pakistani immigrants, and he even said so in his pen pal letters. He thinks they smell, and let's be honest, many of them do.

Take a bath people. It won't kill you.

England is on the brink of collapse, yet again,
25 million of us have had our id's stolen due to the governors sending cd's through the post
Bring back Enoch I say -- he saw the rivers of blood before his time.

if he is
how much will it cost
if he cant answer
stay in la

you fuckin hypocritical shitwad
more than ever been a phoney????

You'll never walk alone
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

You did less than nowt for us in the war apart from suppllying gum and stockings

put it this way

i did not detest hitler enough so why i should detest saddam even more

nation of yellow belly bastards who can only bomb the vietcong
shame on you

I know how NME is after headlines..but honestly... I've been following the British press for work for ages now...and I hate how every day there is at least one front page headline about..."those horrible immigrants who are taking our jobs and cramming our schools and draining out our healthcare" etc...

Guess what ? I AM an immigrant...and yes...I got my job ..but only after the local legislation was upheld by my employer...which meant I had to stay on hold for six months waiting if the equally qualified local person would decide to take the position...and guess what ?

No one EQUALLY qualified showed up.

So f*** you all immigrant haters...all of you who sit in your cozy little living rooms and spill out such comments...yes, that is exactly how Hitler built enough hatered among Germans towards the Jewish people.

And I shall call everyone with similar comments, here or on the outside, Morrissey included...a bloody fascist.

Any society faced with the challenge of a sudden influx of people of different cultures has been there...yes your culture will be changed..but excluding the newcomers will have a damaging effect..I argued how the terrorists/ bombers were mostly immigrant children who were "supposed" to have been integrated in their new culture...Bullying produces agression.

Ethnic hatered produces terrorism and wars.

Do not allow your children to grow up hating their "new" neighbours.... those neighbours have kids too and they will hate you back even more...don't let the politicians blind you.

Only way to fight such an overwhelming cultural attack..is to really reach out and embrace those people.

Or to fix your goddamn legislation which allowed this mess in the first place.

oh ...and I speak English with a British accent ....which is more than I can say for those very "typically British" drunken bastards one can see around here (Budapest, Hungary) spreading your beautiful British culture with their wasted slurring and vomiting in the streets in broad daylight.

blonde